20 November 2018

Media: Te Kaea, Maori TV

Topic: Maori Language Awards

Enquiry

I understand that the Rotorua Lakes Council is up for an award under the Government section under the Māori Language Celebrations in Wellington this weekend.

https://www.tewikiotereomaori.co.nz/events/nga-tohu-reo-maori

If possible am I able to interview Monty Morrison for a television news item which will also be used in an on line article. This would require him to be free for 15 minutes.

Questions:

Kei te pēhea ngā whakaaro mo te uruhanga o te kaunihera ki roto i ēnei tohu? What are your thoughts in relation to making the finals of the Māori Language Awards?

Koinei te wā tuatahi kua uru koutou? If this the first time the council has entered?

He aha te tohu nui i roto i ēnei mahi? In making the finals what does this show in relation to how far the council has come?

Response

Council's Kaiwhakahaere Maori Gina Rangi Gina Rangi spoke to Māori TV's news programme Te Kāea today about Council's nomination as a finalist in this year's Māori Language Awards. You can read the full list of finalists HERE.

Key responses from Gina Rangi:

• We're humbled to be nominated as a finalist
• It's a reflection of our partnership with Te Tatau o Te Arawa and illustrates our partnership in action (putting in action our agreement with Te Tatau o Te Arawa)
• It also demonstrates our commitment and support of our district's journey, Rotorua Reorua
• In 2014, the Rotorua Library entered and won the Local Government Māori Language Excellence Award
• Whatever the outcome of Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2018, the winner of the day will be te reo rangatira

Kupu tautoko [key responses covered in Māori]

• Kei te hihiko te ngākau, ā, he hūmarie anō hoki te wairua nā runga i te rongo - kua uru ki ngā whiringa whāiti mātou, te Kaunihera o ngā roto o Rotorua
• He tohu tautoko tēnei i ngā mahi e haere ake i raro i te mana whakaaetanga i waenga i te Kaunihera me Te Tatau o Te Arawa
• , e kaha tautoko te karere nei i ngā mahi e haere ake pēnā i te kaupapa o Rotorua Reorua, he taonga e tautoko ai te kaunihera
• Ēhara tēnei te wā tuatahi mā tēnei kaunihera kia uru ki roto i Ngā Tohu Reo Māori
• I te tau 2014, i tuku tono tā mātou whare pukapuka mā te tohu Kāwangatanga, ā, i wikitōria
• Ahakoa te haerenga o te pō tuku taonga ā tēnei tau, ka wikitōria kē - te reo rangatira

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Tree causing concern

Enquiry

I've just spoken to a chap this morning called Harry Grace who had a rotten tree fall onto his property yesterday at 31C Park Rd.

The tree is on a private property and has done considerable damage to his house.

He's now worried other trees on that property might be rotten too and could fall at any time. He said there are five trees still standing, two in line with two new houses built next to him and a third that's in line with his house.

He has contacted the council a couple of times and was told this morning someone from the council would go and have a look.

He's not certain who owns the land where the trees are (it's not council land) and is needing to track them down somehow.

I'm not entirely sure what the council can do to help him, since it's not council land. Are you able to let me know what the official position is in circumstances like this?

[Council response] doesn't have to be specific to this situation if you don't have time, perhaps just in general what council does with trees not on council land, if anything, that are dangerous.

Response

From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager, Rob Pitkethley:

As a rule private trees are the responsibility of the property owners. Council can help with advice on local contractors who may be able to help with inspections or removals.

Council doesn't have jurisdiction over private trees except where they could be causing damage to public property or are a safety risk to the general public. For example if a tree was hanging over a road or a public reserve Council would approach the owner to remedy the issue.

Council's Horticultural Officer visited Mr Grace and gave him a list of local contractors that could help with the trees he is concerned about. He will also attempt to put Mr Grace in touch with the owners of the property that the trees are on.